Sydney Sixers have been dealt a major late blow ahead of their must-win Big Bash League (BBL) 15 Challenger final, with Pakistan star Babar Azam recalled immediately for national duty, ruling him out of Friday night’s sudden-death clash against Hobart Hurricanes at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The decision means Babar will miss the remainder of the Sixers’ finals campaign, even if they progress to Sunday’s Big Bash Final in Perth. Pakistan are set to host Australia in a three-match T20I series in Lahore next week, a key lead-in to the upcoming T20 World Cup, prompting the early recall of their premier batter.
In a farewell video message released by the Sixers, Babar thanked the club and supporters for what he described as a memorable first stint in the Big Bash.
“I have enjoyed my time very much,” he said. “Unfortunately, I now have to leave the team for national duty. I take back a lot of positive memories, especially the amazing support from Sixers fans at the SCG.”
Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes praised Babar’s impact both on and off the field, while acknowledging the timing of Pakistan’s international commitments.
“The level of fan engagement generated by Babar’s supporters has been exceptional,” Haynes said. “The ‘Babaristan’ stand at the SCG has been a highlight of our home matches this season.”
Despite arriving as one of the biggest names in world cricket, Babar endured a mixed BBL campaign. He scored 202 runs including two half-centuries, but his strike rate of 103 was well below the tournament standard and the lowest in Big Bash history for any batter with more than 200 runs in a season. The contrast was stark alongside opening partners Steve Smith and Daniel Hughes, who struck at 172 and 129 respectively.
The numbers had already sparked debate, with former Australia batter Mark Waugh publicly questioning Babar’s place in the knockout XI earlier this week.
“You’re thinking about winning the tournament,” Waugh said. “So far, he just hasn’t done enough.”
Babar’s departure simplifies Sixers’ selection puzzle ahead of the Hurricanes clash. Veteran left-hander Daniel Hughes looms as the most natural replacement at the top of the order, while captain Moises Henriques could again shuffle his batting line-up to restore balance. Middle-order option Jordan Silk is also in contention, with both Hughes and Silk part of Sixers’ championship-winning sides in BBL 09 and 10.
The Sixers, however, have increasingly placed trust in youth this season, with Lachy Shaw, Joel Davies and Jack Edwards handed significant responsibility. Edwards said the group had embraced the challenge after falling short in the Qualifier against Perth.
“We got thrown in the deep end,” he admitted. “It’s a learning opportunity, and if we’re in that situation again, we’ll be better for it.”
As for Babar, he departs the Big Bash as the leading run-scorer in men’s T20I history, but with unfinished business in Australia’s domestic league. His focus now shifts firmly to international duty, leaving the Sixers to fight for survival without their biggest overseas name on the biggest night of their season.
BBL 15 finals schedule
- Qualifier: Perth Scorchers beat Sydney Sixers by 48 runs
- Knockout: Hobart Hurricanes beat Melbourne Stars by three runs (DLS method)
- Challenger: Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes, SCG (Friday, January 23, 7.15pm AEDT)
- Final: Perth Scorchers v winner of Challenger, Optus Stadium (Sunday, January 25, 7.15pm AEDT)
*A reserve day on Monday, January 26 (7.15pm AEDT) is available for the Final
